Mantispid (Noun)
Meaning
Insect that resembles a mantis; larvae are parasites in the nests of spiders and wasps.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The mantispid is a unique insect that has evolved to mimic the appearance of a praying mantis, allowing it to sneak up on its prey undetected.
- Mantispid larvae are known to be parasitic, often infiltrating the nests of spiders and wasps to feed on the eggs and young of these social insects.
- Entomologists have long been fascinated by the mantispid's unusual life cycle, which involves a dramatic transformation from a parasitic larva to a free-living adult.
- In some parts of the world, mantispids are considered beneficial insects due to their role in controlling spider and wasp populations.
- Despite their fearsome appearance, adult mantispids are generally harmless to humans and feed on small insects and other invertebrates.